KINESIOTAPING
By: Kristin Levin AT, ATC, CKTP, PES
Objectives
 Identify what Kinesio tape is and what it is used for
 Indications and contraindications of the tape.
 The theory behind muscle tapings and lymphatic
tapings.
 Corrective Taping Techniques.
 Applications and removal of the tape.
Kinesio tape was developed in the early 1980s by Dr.
Kenzo Kase.
 Depending on how you apply the kinesiotape it can work
in different ways.
 It mimics the qualities of human skin. Being light and
as flexible as the skin. This is to avoid the bodies
perception of weight and avoids sensory stimuli.
 Kinesiotape works by subcutaneously lifting the skin.
 Enhances muscular, joint and circulatory function by
facilitating a muscle, inhibiting a muscle, working with
the lymph system to help with edema.
 Can be used in all phases of an injury acute, subacute
and rehabilitative.
General rules
 The tape can be worn 24 hours a day and left on for 3-5
days.
 You want to make sure the skin is free from lotion and
oils for the tape to adhere properly.
 Can shower and ice over the area.
 Towel dry. DO NOT USE A HAIR BLOWER to the tape.
 Moist heat is ok but dry heat is not.
 Pull the tape off gently, do not yank like a band- aid.
The Tape

Non latex. 100% cotton with an acrylic heat activated adhesive.

No medications

Water resistant

Has a stretch in the longitudinal direction only.

Has about a 10-15 % stretch on the paper.

Can stretch to 40-60% of its resting length

The thickness and the weight are similar to the skin.

Does not restrict ROM.

There is no difference with the different color tapes.

New FP tape

•Lighter weight with a new weave process for improved comfort

•Brings nano-touch micro-stimulation to epidermis and layers beneath;
improved grip and lift
•Higher grade cotton with increased breathability
•Kinesio FP Tape is more forgiving to initial application errors; easier to reposition
Precautions
 Diabetes
 Kidney disease
 Congestive heart failure
 CAD or Bruits in the carotid artery
 Fragile or healing skin ( milk of magnesia in elderly can
be benificial)
 May need MD clearance to tape if these conditions are
present
Contraindications
 Over an active malignancy site
 Over active cellulitis or skin infection
 Open wounds
 Deep vein thrombosis
 Practice tearing the paper and seeing the elasticity of
the tape. Also note the differences between the two
tapes.
Physiological effects
 Skin
 Circulatory/ Lymph system
 Fascia
 Muscle
 Joint
Skin
 The body is made up of 3 layers: the endodoerm,
mesoderm and the ectoderm. Because all three layers
are interconnected, Kinesiotape can treat the entire
body from the outside in.
 Kinesiotape effects the sensors of the skin through its
application process. Through the manipulation of these
sensors the kinesiotape can change the healing
processes of the body.
 Kinesiotape can reduce pain by alleviating pressure on
the neural and sensory receptors and reduce swelling by
increasing fluid movement.
Circulatory/ Lymphatic System
 Kinesiotape can speed lymphatic drainage and flow by
increasing the amount of space beneath the skin,
creating a more efficient exchange of lymph and bodily
fluids between different tissues.
 Reduces edema
 Equalizes temperature
 The tape lifting the skin causes convolutions which
creates a channel of low pressure in the congested
areas.
 Decreases pain
Fascia
 Fascia is fibrous and a connective tissue.
 With all the layers of fascia connected, by taping the
skin it can effect the deepest layer of fascia.
 Collagen or fat exists between each layer of skin. If the
person is not moving sufficiently the collagen may act as
glue and adhere the surfaces together.
Muscle
 By understanding the science of muscle movement one
can better envision the way that kinesiotape will effect
the muscles function.
 Must evaluate and decided if pain is coming from a
muscle weakness or a tightness and tape accordingly.
 Kinesiotape can relieve muscle pain, increase ROM,
normalize length/tension ratios to create optimal force,
assist with tissue recovery and reduce fatigue.
Joint
 Can improve joint alignment and biomechanics
 Facilitate ligament and tendon function
 Enhance kinesthetic awareness.
 Correct muscle imbalance
Getting ready to tape
 Different tape cuts for different body parts and
applications
 I strip
 Y stip
 X cut
 Fan cut
Round edges of tape, except ends of fan cut.
Cont..
 Want to measure and tape to the length of muscle
(where possible).
 There are two ways to remove the paper backing the roll
method and the tear method.
 Decide whether you want to facilitate or inhibit a muscle
 Facilitation- Improves muscle contraction of a weakened
muscle
 Inhibition- Relaxes an over contracted muscle.
Keep in mind the length tension curve, too much overlap of
the actin and myosin or too little overlap reduces tension
 Tape for the pain and the cause of the pain.
Taping
 Kinesiotape is generally applied to stretched tissue.
 Less is more
 No tension on the anchors.
 “Paper off tension” – Tape is applied with the 10-15%
tension off the paper.
 Tension greater than 50% are used for corrective
techniques only.
 Facilitation -P to D (O to I) applied with 15-35% tension
 Inhibition- D to P (I to O) applied with 15 to 25%
tension
 Therapeutic direction is the recoil of the tape towards
the anchor.
 Therapeutic zone is the targeted tissue.
After application, lightly rub the tape to activate the heat
activated adhesive.
 Tape stays best if adhered 30-40 min prior to workout or
swim
 If excessively hairy may need to trim or shave area
Tape removal
 Remove tape in the direction of the hair growth
 Pull the skin back from the tape
 Tape can be removed while bathing.
 Soap, lotion or oil can also be applied to help remove
the tape.
 If the tape is itching or increasing pain have athlete
remove tape.
 If sensitive to tape try a test patch first on hand.
 Do not put tape on nape of hair, through axilla or groin.
 Avoid trigger points in pregnant females.
 Never use the tape to pull body part into position.
 Taping possibilities are endless!
Applications
Quadriceps Femoris Application
 Originates AIIS and inserts into the tibial tuberosity
 Starting position- hip extension and knee flexion
 Measure and cut a Y strip
 Apply 15-35% tension P to D
 Adhere anchor to AIIS or belly of quadriceps muscle
 Apply tension through therapeutic zone to the
musculotendinous junction
 Split the tails around the patella and end without any
tension at tibial tuberosity.
 This was done to facilitate the quadriceps.
Deltoid
 Originates clavicle/spine of scapula and inserts into
deltoid tubricle.
 Measure and cut a Y strip.
 Anchor tape at deltoid tubricle, Horiz Abd for one tail
and Horiz ADD for other tail. Anchor at clavicle/spine of
scapula
 Apply 15-25% tension through therapeutic zone
 Taping Distal to Proximal = inhibition
Lymphatic application
 The goal is to guide the inflammation to a lymph node to
be removed through superficial lymphatic pathways… if
an area is congested or overwhelmed may not get
desired results.
 Anchor proximally (no tension)
 Apply 10-15% tension on tails over the effected area
 Ending with no tension
 Repeat with second fan so that they cross
Corrective Techniques
 Mechanical correction- it is a positional hold with 5075% tension with inward downward pressure
 Fascia correction- oscillating tissue( side to side or long
to short) with 15-35% tension
 Space correction- lifting technique with 25-50% tension.
 Ligament/tendon correction- Proprioceptive, decreases
stress on a ligament or tendon. 50-75% tension on a
tendon to stimulate golgi tendon receptors for support,
and 75-100% on a ligament for joint protection.
Fascia Correction – IT band
 First we will inhibit the IT band with an I strip placed
just below gerdys tubercle, apply 15-25% tension
ending TFL or AIC.
 Identify tight or painful zone. Next we cut a Y strip and
anchor base near target zone with the tails perform long
to short or side to side with about 15-35% tension with
targeted tissue in the middle.
 Base more specific area, tails a larger area.
Space Correction- Shin
 Cut 2-4 strips for the size of the targeted tissue.
 Place over the effected area with 25-50% tension
 Creating a star shape.
 The tape has an additive effect so the more strips you
use the less tension each should have.
Ligament/ Tendon Correction
 MCL- have athlete standing with slight bend in knee
anchor near tibial tuberosity, no tension until over MCL
then place 75-100% tension over MCL and no tension
the rest of the way.
 Achilles tendon- Anchor at plantar surface of calcaneus.
Place 50-75% tension over Achilles tendon. If continuing
into muscular part of gastroc use appropriate tension.
References
 Kase, Kenzo, Jim Wallis and Tsuyoshi Kase. Clinical
Therapeutic Applications of the Kinesio Taping Method.
2nd edition. Ken Ikai Co Ltd.,2003
 Kase,Kenzo. KT1/KT2 workbook. Kinesio taping
Association.,2008